Formfutura
Formfutura is dedicated to the world of desktop 3D printing, and with a team that’s just as excited about the technology and its uses as you are, they developed both MetalFil Ancient Bronze, and MetalFil Classic Copper. You will find that both PLA filaments are imbued with 80% metal powder, indeed meaning that if your desktop can run PLA, you are in business for making with metal. And they promise that the results will be almost indistinguishable from genuine bronze and copper. Announced today, MetalFil filaments will be officially released on Monday, June 20th.
- Brushing and sand grinding: After 3D printing, you can brush or sand, using either brass or fine grid, respectively. FormFutura recommends this for reaching the full potential of bronze concentration, along with the opportunity to really shine up your model at the end.
- Build-in white polish: MetalFil offers up a thin white haze on your object as a result of being brushed and sanded. You can then begin to polish, and see it emerge in beautiful bronze.
- Professional polishing with a rotary tumbler: If you’re a fan of the tumbler, this is a great time to use it. The team at FormFutura states that using one with your MetalFil 3D printing object will render it indistinguishable from genuine bronze casted objects.
- Patina post processing: Patina is such a unique look and perfect for certain projects. This will apply to both your bronze and copper MetalFil, allowing for several different effects that will take a day or so to complete. Formfutura recommends using an ammonia and soda treatment for bronze and a soldering fluid for copper. The result is that of the faded blue or weathered green look, allowing for an antique feel.
- Waxing and coating: Are you looking for a lot of shine? If so, try waxing or coating in between each post-processing step. Products like beeswax and XTC-3D are just a couple recommended.
Formfutura is a filament company we follow often, as they follow the needs of their users. Offering everyone the chance to work with metal at the desktop will fill in the gaps for many who found that technology missing in their creativity—and it should open the doors for a host of new collections as well as inventions as makers around the world explore new techniques, with those listed here as just a beginning. Discuss further in the Formfutura 3D Printing Metal PLA Filaments forum over at 3DPB.com.